The diamond drill., 1887-09-17

MAD0LINE'S FATE.

BY x. r.

AhAIl Els lN.--tONIINUED
He bent down TO make some reply.
but before he could speak the attention
Of both became arrested by sudden
blaze that leapt mp through the dark
ness amid cloud Of smoke and sparks
"The mill is on fire" Madeline said
quite calmly; for what was the des-
truction of those old moss grown
beams next to the thought Of Ronalds
danger!
Not many days ago. the sight of
those spreading flames would have
sent a wild panic TO her heart; now
she was no more moved by the scene
than IL she had been gazing on heap
of dry leaves burning on one of the
cottager's hearth. It seemed as
though she had no room for any
feeling save fear for Ronald.
A shout echoing from the distance
warned them that the fire had been
seen by others. and Madeline knew
in few moments the mill would be
surrounded.
"rhe light will betray us" she said,
as the horror OF how this night might
end rushed upon her face. "You
must make for the woods now, Or
All, it is too late! They are already in
sight. Stoop down; perhaps in the
confusion you may be able to steal
away unseen"
Once more they concealed them
selves in the thick brambles, while
Ronald Castleton's pursuers passed
within few feet of them.
Madeline dared not raise her head
TO see what was going on. She could
hear the sound of voices and footsteps
running hither and thithcr; then above
the din her fathers stern tones came
distinctly to her.
"I.et IL burnr' he said with stolid
contempt; lit will save the trouble of
pulling IL down. | have no desire Go
keep open refuge for every thief and
yagabond who comes this way"
"Of which there are not many, am
glad TO say a younger voice replied
IA voice Madeline recognized MS Lu-
cien De Courcy's. Besides, my dear
uncle. are we 20 believe every rumour
we hearg My great fear was that
Madeline might have been up in the
mill. This was always favourite
haunt OF hers. remember often find
ing her. as q child, perched ON those
steps, either trying her hand at sketch
ing, or amusing herself with some tame
pigeons that had made their roost
there. What can have become of her?
IL Is unlike Madeline TO keep away
while SO much excitement and panic
Is going on"
ut is easy enough 10 guess what has
become OF her!" Clyde answered I'm a
tone Of muiiled fury. "Since she has
been SO false. can believe her capa-
bic OF the yilest deceit. a week ago
/ would have put faith in her as in an
angel. and she has all the time been
laughing in secret 10 my blindness IL
dawns upon me now the meaning Of
her words--of her craving for solitude
She has led with Ronald Castleton!"
IL can not believe that, uncle, Mad
oline was SO confding, SO frank. SO
loving; she would not have left her
home In SO heartless a fashion Some
accident may have befallen her"
1T Is hard 10 force the truth upon
YOU Iucien. IL accident be the cause
OF her disappearance, how do you ac-
count for those daily visits TO tie mill,
secret journeys taken under cover of
the evening, with provisions from my
own tables She acted her part very
cleverly; but my eyes have been
opened, and | never want 20 look on
her false face again. The worst can
think of her is not bad enough; she has
robbed me of my daughterr'
An intense bitterness overcame the
hatred with which the first words were
uttered; and in the silence that follow
ed, Cuthbert Clyde seemed 10 put
Madeline out of bis life and TO close
his heart for ever against her.
They had stepped quite near 20
where she was croucbing on the damp
grass. with dropped head and throb-
bing pulses, bravely enduring torture,
and taking strength from the tighten.
ing clasp Of l,onald's hand.
He had managed 70 slip of his coat,